n 1: a written order directing a bank to pay money; "he paid all
his bills by check" [syn: bank check, cheque]
2: an appraisal of the state of affairs; "they made an assay of
the contents"; "a check on its dependability under stress"
[syn: assay]
3: the bill in a restaurant; "he asked the waiter for the
check" [syn: chit, tab]
4: the state of inactivity following an interruption; "the
negotiations were in arrest"; "held them in check";
"during the halt he got some lunch"; "the momentary stay
enabled him to escape the blow"; "he spent the entire stop
in his seat" [syn: arrest, halt, hitch, stay, stop,stoppage]
5: additional proof that something that was believed is true;
"fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary
theory" [syn: confirmation, verification, substantiation]
6: the act of inspecting or verifying; "they made a check of
their equipment"; "the pilot ran through the check-out
procedure" [syn: checkout, check-out procedure]
7: a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed
etc.; "as he called the role he put a check mark by each
student's name" [syn: check mark]
8: a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken
off of something [syn: crack, chip]
9: a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a
checkerboard); "she wore a skirt with checks"
10: the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess;
"his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper" [syn:bridle, curb]
11: obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
12: (chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king
v 1: examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition;
"check the brakes"; "Check out the engine" [syn: {check
up on}, look into, check out, suss out, {check
over}, go over, check into]
2: make an examination or investigation; "check into the
rumor"; "check the time of the class"
3: be careful or certain to do something; make certain of
something; "He verified that the valves were closed"; "See
that the curtains are closed"; "control the quality of the
product" [syn: see, insure, see to it, ensure, control,ascertain, assure]
4: lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or
keep within limits; "moderate your alcohol intake" "hold
your tongue"; "hold your temper"; "control your anger"
[syn: control, hold in, hold, contain, curb, moderate]
5: stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution; "She
checked for an instant and missed a step"
6: put a check mark on or next to; "Please check each name on
the list" [syn: check off, mark, mark off, tick off]
7: slow the growth or development of [syn: retard]
8: be verified or confirmed; pass inspection; "These stories
don't check!" [syn: check out]
9: be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their
characteristics; "The two stories don't agree in many
details"; "The handwriting checks with the signature on
the check"; "The suspect's fingerprints do'nt match those
on the gun" [syn: match, fit, correspond, jibe, gibe,tally, agree] [ant: disagree]
10: block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice
hockey
11: train by instruction and practice; esp. to teach
self-control; "Parents must discipline their children";
"Is this dog trained?" [syn: discipline, train, condition]
12: consign for shipment on a vehicle, as of luggage; "check
your luggage before boarding"
13: hand over something to somebody as for temporary
safekeeping; "Check your coat at the door"
14: abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior
prey, of falcons
15: stop in a chase esp. when scent is lost; "The dog checked"
16: mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on
[syn: checker, chequer]
17: decline to initiate betting, in poker
18: hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion
or influence of; "Arrest the downward trend"; "Check the
growth of communism in SE Asia"; "Contain the rebel
movement"; "Turn back athe tide of communism" [syn: {turn
back}, arrest, stop, contain, hold back]
19: place into check in a game of chess; "He checked my kings"
20: write out a check on a bank account
21: find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by
making an inquiry or other effort; "I want to see whether
she speaks French"; "See whether it works"; "find out if
he speaks Russian"; "Check whether the train leaves on
time" [syn: determine, find out, see, ascertain,watch, learn]
22: verify by consulting a source or authority; "check the
spelling of this word"; "check your facts"
23: arrest the motion (of something) abruptly; "He checked the
flow of water by shutting off the main valve"
24: make cracks or chinks in; "The heat checked the paint" [syn:chink]
25: become fractured; break or crack on the surface only; "The
glass cracked when it was heated" [syn: crack, break]